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Top Trends for 2019

You may have read about this in our digital issue, but the best way to track what’s trending in 2019 is by taking note of what’s popular at quilt market.

American Quilt Retailer did just that and narrowed the list down for you! Check out the top ten must haves your store should stock up on for 2019.

  1. English paper piecing. Popular in Britain, this trend is making it’s way across the pond to gain popularity in the U.S. EPP is appealing for a variety of reasons, including increased creativity and easy to do on the go.
  2. Hand embroidery. You may want to stock up on extra embroidery hoops as this trend doubles as wall decor.hand embroidery
  3. Kitchen. Kitchen themes were prevalent this year; as it turns out quilters love to cook—and it’s influencing their craft too.
  4. Fruit. Going off the kitchen theme, quilters are craving summer, with fruit being one of the main staples of the kitchen theme. fruit
  5. Succulents. Popular for several years in the craft world, succulents are now becoming popular to quilt as well. Chances are many of your quilters like to garden too, so selling some of these plants (and having them as a display) may not be a bad idea.
  6. The color blue. Blue is the new red. Shades of blue could be found everywhere, so consider expanding your store’s options.blue
  7. Pop-up shops. Inspired by the fashion industry, retailers inside and out of that industry are jumping on the pop-up shop band wagon. Have a go-to display and products that are easy to take to and from events in your community.
  8. Small piecing. Attention to detail is what crafters are all about this year. Pair patterns of fat quarters to make your customer’s shopping trip a little easier. tiny
  9. Characters. Everybody has a favorite TV show, and consumers want more of them. Stock up on your children and grandchildren’s favorite characters (think Spongebob, Harry Potter, video game characters, etc.) popularized by society.
  10. Intergenerational quilting. Turns out, quilting can be a bonding experience too. Check out your kid’s selection of books and kits to help inspire the next generation of crafters.

You can read more about what we saw at the fall Quilt Market in the December issue of American Quilt Retailer.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

 

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Sew Simple of Lynchburg LLC

American Quilt Retailer is pleased to feature Sew Simple of Lynchburg in today’s Open for Business blog post.

Shop: Sew Simple of Lynchburg LLC
Address: 2414 Wards Rd. Lynchburg VA 24502
Phone: (434) 239-6708
Website:  https://AmyQuilts.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyquiltsdotcom,
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyQuilts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AmyJohnsonQuilts
Owners:  Amy K Johnson and Eric Johnson
Services: Janome sewing machine sales and service, classes, plus fabric and supplies.
Years in business: 2.5 years as a brick and mortar store, 1.5 years as an online shop before that to support my online classes with rulers, ruler feet, and tools
Number of employees: One part time
Store location: Sew Simple of Lynchburg is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.  It is in a stand-alone building in a smaller city, in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Continue reading Sew Simple of Lynchburg LLC

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Lickety Stitch Quilts

lickety stitch front door a

Shop: Lickety Stitch Quilts
Address: 206 S. Main Street, Lusk, WY 82225
Phone: 307-334-9963
Owner:  Karen Wisseman
Employees: 1 full time employee and 2 part- time employees
Website: www.licketystitchquilts.com
Facebook: Lickety Stitch Quilts

Services Offered: We are a full-service quilt shop with fabric, notions, patterns, books, classes, and provide machine quilting services. We have been in business for 8 years.
Continue reading Lickety Stitch Quilts

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Thank You from AQR

AQR Digital IssueAs 2018 comes to a close, we can’t thank you enough for such a great year.

2018 was a big one for us, with the continued release of our digital magazine, more work on videos, and two quilt markets all while juggling the life of a small business owner.

With the craziness of the holidays it can be hard to get away and find some time for yourself. But try to take some time to reflect on your year.

What good things happened? What happened that you would change? What changes did you make that worked? What are you most excited about in the future? AQR Heidi

American Quilt Retailer knows we couldn’t do what we love without you, so thank you for being such loyal followers. We have excited things in store for 2019 and hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it.

Happy holidays and we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2019!

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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End of Year Tax Tips

As 2018 comes to a close, there are many things we would rather use the remainder of our time with other thinking about taxes. But the changes you make now can help keep the cash flowing come tax season. Check out these tips to help your small business.

  1. Find out if your business qualifies for different treatment. The next time you meet with your tax specialist, check if your status is pass-through and if you can switch to C-corporation. New laws decrease income tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent for all C-corporations, but be sure to ask an expert if the switch makes sense.
  2. Pay your taxes throughout the year. Ask your tax specialist if you can pay taxes at quarterly estimates in 2019 instead of in one lump sum.
  3. Think about retirement. Contributions you make to you or your employee’s plans can be tax deductible. Check with your specialist to see if opening a new retirement plan counts too.
  4. Buy some equipment. This includes both new and used, and equipment bought after September of this year can be listed with 100% depreciation.
  5. Defer revenue. Wait until the end of the month to do billing or wait to get some services until January. On the flip side, if you have events or things you need to buy in January, consider purchasing them early.
  6. Give to a charity. Tis the season for giving, so why not get two birds with one stone and not only give back to your community, but help make your taxes more manageable.

taxes.png

Hopefully 2018 has been a more prosperous year than the last, and gives you the problem to worry about what your taxes are going to look like. Regardless of your financial standings, these tax tips can help all businesses manage their bottom line.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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Bolt Quilt Shop

pat at doorShop Name: Bolt Quilt Shop
Owner: Patty Rowley
Address: 12 Main St, Cornish, Maine 04020
Phone: 207-625-4255
Located in the center of a small historic town in Western Maine- 10 miles from the NH border

Website: boltfabricsmaine.com
Facebook: Bolt Fabrics
In business 5 years in August of this year!
No employees
Special Service: Small shop full of Inspiration! Offer classes. Vend at local quilt shows and guild meetings in Maine and New Hampshire

inside of store

How is your store different from other quilting stores near you?
The first thing you notice is how bright and colorful the shop is. I am grateful to have such good natural light! Visitors and customers always comment that I have such a wonderful variety of Fabrics in this small shop! I use vintage singer sewing machines in the shop including a 1910 Red Eye Singer treadle, so there is a unique mix of old and new here.

It’s important to me that when people walk through the door and feel welcome and when they leave they had a good experience and they are inspired (whether they are quilters or not). Music is very important in my life, and there is always music playing in my shop – mostly Vivaldi! Continue reading Bolt Quilt Shop

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Pantone Color of the Year

coral reef.jpgIf you haven’t already heard the news, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019 is Living Coral.

Pantone has released the Color of the Year every December for the past 20 years. The color is supposed to reflect both trends in design and in our culture.

Living Coral is a shade of orange with gold undertones, and is supposed to be reminiscent of the coral reef. The coral reef acts as a water filtration system and gives shelter to a vast range of sea life.

Pantone said paying attention to the environment and our roles in it has become even more prevalent in today’s society. Living Coral evokes energy, something the environment needs as it’s natural resources continue to be depleted.

According to Pantone, Living Coral creates an “innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits” and “authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy.”

This is Pantone’s way of saying our culture needs to spend more time unplugged and start living in the moment. Living Coral is supposed to evoke a sense of togetherness that technology lacks and can even take away from our lives.

Living Coral has already made it’s debut on the runway and in make up pallets, and you can expect social media influencers to start using the color more too. Living Coral can already be found on beach themed attire and spring pastels.

The pink-orange hue follows last year’s Color of the Year Ultra Violet, a color that many thought honored the late musician Prince and was a nod to politicians working together.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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‘Tis the Season

Make sure your store is the place to shop for quilt related gifts this holiday season. Check out this quilter’s buying guide for ideas on what to add to your store.

  • Travel steam iron. Not only is the quilter in your life going to love this gift, but you’ll stay well within budget with this item costing just $20.00.
  • Foldaway cutting mat. Whether you quilt on the go or occasionally at home, storing this foldaway mat won’t be a problem (and is the best part about this gift).
  • Quilt organizer. This gift is going to take a little bit of intel to know what exactly your recipient would use the most. Do some investigating to find out what your loved one is wanting or what they already use.
  • Quilt caddy. Organizing is the name of the game this holiday season, if you’ve got room to splurge package this gift with the quilt organizer to make your quilter’s day.
  • Thread. A classic gift never goes out of style and is guaranteed to be something they use (and need).
  • Quilt starter set. Definitely targeted to the younger crowd, this gift is to inspire children and grandchildren to get in with mom and grandma on all the fun.
  • Mini quilt kit. Give an easy project to keep your loved one busy this winter with a kit to make a mini quilt. If the quilter wants to share the love they could easily regift this mini quilt, too.
  • Rotating cutting mat. Long time quilters will have no idea this is what they’ve always been needing, surprise them with this new take on a conventional tool.

Figuring out what the best gift to give someone can be one of the hardest decisions around the holidays. Make sure your store helps to make the process easier for customers.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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Sales, Sales, Sales

Flash saleWith the close of small business Saturday and cyber Monday, hopefully your sales (both online and in store) exceeded your expectations. Have no fear if they didn’t; check out the below to see what you can do from now until January 1st.

  • Shoppers always want to think they’re getting a discount, so play into that. The two that work best for small businesses include the bundle sale and the two-fer sale. The two-fer sale sounds like it’s buy one get one free, but really it’s buy two items for one price. Since you know the bottom line, it’s easier to make sure you’re getting your profit.
  • Give something away for free. Food and drink go a long way around the holidays, so bake those Christmas cookies and stew up some hot chocolate because free means more customers.
  • Coupons, coupons, coupons. Send coupons via email to your customer base, and post coupon codes on your social media. To make your most loyal customers feel appreciated, send them an exclusive offer, whether that be an event or an even better sale. Don’t shy away from having online-only coupons too.
  • Going off the exclusivity, only stock your shelves with a couple items. When the customer grabs both, they’ll think it was a sign that they came in to shop that day. If you have an option to book appointments on your website, show limited availability. As those times fill up, open up others to make sure your schedule stays full. Being elusive is in.
  • Time is money. Since you’re already sending email blasts and being active on social media, post about certain deals that last only one day or even one hour. This sense of urgency will create the extra push some customers need to get off the couch and in your store.
  • Tis the season, some of these flash deals can have a charitable component to them. Spread holiday cheer by donating some of the proceeds to charity to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Hopefully these tips will make you ready to enter the New Year with new goals and no regrets left in 2018.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.

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All About Video

Continuing with our theme of online stores, this week we’re going to highlight content for video.

For many of you video can be a scary word, but we’ll show you just how easy it can be.

With the close of the 2018 fall Quilt Market in Houston, we came back inspired by all of the businesses and products the industry has to offer.

  1. Check out this video from Brooklyn Haberdashery. This first-time market attendee highlighted this year’s hottest products.
  2. This next video promotes a new tool with a little bit of flare. Pay attention to the detail she’s able to describe that really helps viewers get to know the product. The tutorial is a plus too.
  3. This last video may be short and sweet, but it highlights one product that was the star of the show.

*All of these videos can also be viewed in our digital version of the Fall 2018 Quilt Market Recap Issue

The one thing all of these videos had in common were they knew what products they wanted to highlight. Think about the tools that excite you, then make a video about why your customers should purchase one.

Also note the video quality wasn’t top notch, but all of the videos were interesting. The background noise doesn’t have to be completely silent, and it’s okay to stumble on some words along the way.

Of course, practice makes perfect, so feel free to practice a few times before taping. As long as the display looks great and you have everything you need prepared if you’re doing a demonstration, think about the video as if you were talking to a customer.

The more you try the more comfortable you will become. Take advantage of the holidays to tackle two birds with one stone; promote your products and dip your toes into promoting them through video.

If you’re looking for more information to guide you in owning a retail business, subscribe to American Quilt Retailer today. Already a subscriber? No worries—join our Facebook group for insights and dialogue from industry specialists like you.